29-04-2025
Men did wheelspins and handbrake turns on a busy road then threatened family with Samurai sword
Men did wheelspins and handbrake turns on a busy road then threatened family with Samurai sword
Police described the defendants as "men who believe that the law does not apply to them".
Lathan Gray (left) and Stephen Harris
Two men in a car performed handbrake turns and wheelspins on a busy main road then threatened a family who challenged them and brandished a Samurai sword, a court has heard. Police described Lathan Gray and Stephen Harris as "men who believe that the law does not apply to them."
Swansea Magistrates Court heard that at around 6.20pm on April 20 this year the defendants were in a Citroen Xsara Picasso car on Llangyfelach Road in the Treboeth area of Swansea.
The Citroen - with Harris at the wheel - was seen doing handbrake turns and wheelspin on the busy road. Following a near-collision, a passing motorist challenged the defendants about their behaviour and they responded by following his car in a "threatening and intimidating manner."
When the motorist stopped at the nearby Texaco garage Harris used the Citroen to block his escape and Gray got out and advanced on their victims' car.
He then lifted his jumper to show the long handle of a Samurai sword tucked into his trousers. The court heard that in the car were a couple and their seven-year-old child.
The police were called and officers located the defendant's Citroen a short distance away from garage. A search of the car uncovered a kitchen knife and a hammer.
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The vehicle itself had a false registration plate, while checks showed Harris was a disqualified driver.
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Latham Gray, aged 27, of Jersey Road, Bonymaen, Swansea, had previously pleaded guilty to affray and to possesison of a bladed article when he appeared in the dock for sentencing.
Stephen Harris, aged 29, of Eaton Crescent, Uplands, Swansea, had previously pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified, drink-driving, driving with no insurance, the fraudulent use of a registration mark, and possession of an offensive weapon when he joined his co-defendant in the dock.
Gray was sentenced to a total of 48 weeks in prison and Harris to 26 weeks.
The defendants will serve up to half their sentences in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community.
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Harris was also banned from driving for five years and 13 weeks.
Speaking after the sentencing South Wales Police detective inspector Danielle Thorne said: "Stephen Harris and Lathan Gray are two men who believe that the law does not apply to them.
"Their intimidating behaviour, particularly towards a family with a young child, was totally disgraceful. We hope that they both take their time in prison to think better of this kind of thuggish behaviour."
